The Awakening: Book 1 of the Evaran Chronicles Read Free Page A

How could he go from such a debilitated state to one of such strength so quickly? He sat up without a trace of weakness and swung his legs off to the side of the table. He placed a hand on the cool slab. He glanced down and ran his other hand over the metallic dots on his white robe. Looking to his left and across a pathway, he saw two others on metallic slabs like the one he was on, groaning and moving around. One appeared to be a fair-skinned man in his mid-thirties, and the other was a darker-skinned man in his early twenties. He turned around and saw Emily beginning to get up. She had the same robe on that he and the others had. He turned back around and saw Evaran, but the blue suit with silver pinstripes was gone. In its place was a very different outfit. His breath slowed, and his eyes widened.
    Evaran’s outfit looked like a padded light-armor suit. It was pale gray in appearance with highlights of blue, white, orange, and silver. The pads were spread out across the suit in various patterns. The suit covered the whole body except for the head, neck, feet, and hands. The pads were larger on the chest and legs and smaller and more spread out on the abdomen, arms, and shins. The suit also had a utility belt, boots, forearm covers, and a neck guard.
    The silver segmented utility belt had various attachments on it. In the center of the belt was a dark-gray buckle with a button in the middle. He saw what appeared to be a cardholder on the right side. Behind that, a cylindrical rod hung off the utility belt. It was metallic and had intricate designs on it with several buttons. He thought it looked like the grip of a sword, but without the rest of the parts associated with a hilt. On the left side of the belt, various small metallic pouches and orbs were attached.
    He slid off the slab and scrambled over to Emily. She was sitting on the edge of her slab, looking around with wide eyes. He verified that this was the medical room he recalled in what he thought was a dream. It was apparent this was not a typical medical room.
    Emily slid off the slab and grabbed his right arm. She hunched over. “Uncle Albert, what’s going on?” she said with a wavering voice.
    He cleared his throat as he wiped the sweat from his hands on his robes. His right arm tingled as Emily’s shallow breathing coursed over it. He wiped the sweat off his face with his left arm. Evaran had said this is where they would be when they awakened. “I don’t know, but this is the medical room from the dreams.”
    The two men on the other slabs had sat up on the edges of their slabs. They rubbed their eyes and looked around.
    The older man slipped off the slab. “What the fuck , man?” he said with a rising voice.
    Dr. Snowden stepped in front of Emily with her still gripping his right arm. It was evident this man was unhinged.
    The younger man had also slid off the slab. He jerked his head around and took off past the older man and Evaran. He reached the end of the lab, where he pounded on a light-blue smoke-filled doorway. “Help! Someone help, please!”
    Evaran glanced at Dr. Snowden with furrowed eyebrows, then softened his look as he then turned to the older man. He raised his hand toward him. “Jay, please calm down. You are safe here. No one will hurt you.”
    Jay focused on Evaran and walked aggressively toward him. “Damn right, they won’t. Who the fuck are you, man?”
    Evaran stepped back. “I am Evaran. You have been through a traumatic experience, and I am here to help you.”
    The younger man stopped screaming and slid down to the floor with his back to the shielded door. He grimaced with wide eyes and sunken eyebrows. His trembling hands were balled into fists and pulled close to his chest.
    Dr. Snowden licked his lips as he watched the two men’s actions. These men were clearly in distress. He did not want to interfere, but it was apparent they were not forewarned about this awakening like he and Emily had been.
    Jay stepped toward